Burnett injury apparently serious
Georgia Tech linebacker Julian Burnett suffered an injury in the Sun Bowl that could affect his playing career. At a news conference Friday, coach Paul Johnson was vague in his comments about Burnett but offered an indication of the injury’s severity.
“There’s a lot of guys who are playing and have gone through it,” Johnson said in response to a question about players ending their careers because of an injuries or health issues. “But they’ve come out on the other end, that they’ve determined it’s O.K. for them to play. It happens a lot; it’s a violent sport, high-contact.”
Johnson declined to offer more detail about the injury, saying the matter was between Burnett, his family, doctors and himself.
“If Julian wanted to shed light on it, he could,” Johnson said, but has chosen not to do so.
Burnett was injured in the first half of the Sun Bowl and didn’t return to the game. He led the Jackets in tackles for the second consecutive season and was named second-team All-ACC.
“I think what has to happen is they’ll sit down at the appropriate time, we’ll sit down, and we’ll do what’s best for Julian,” Johnson said.
2. Johnson said linebacker B.J. Machen, who has a year of eligibility remaining, will not return, having taken a job with Microsoft. Other possibilities to follow suit, such as wide receiver Daniel McKayhan, have not yet decided on whether or not to return, Johnson said.
“Probably a lot of [his decision] is if he graduates in the spring,” Johnson said. “A lot of those guys have to see how school unfolds.”
3. The team doesn’t have plans to include a kicker in its upcoming signing class. Johnson isn’t opposed to signing a kicker, but said he wouldn’t sign a kicker just for the sake of it. This past season, kicker Justin Moore made all 56 of his point-after tries, but was 11-for-17 on field-goal tries and both he and kicker David Scully had trouble with kickoffs.
“I don’t think we’ve even visited a kicker” for a home visit, Johnson said, “so we probably aren’t going to sign one.”
Johnson offered an insight on his and other coaches’ reluctance to sign specialists out of high school, preferring instead to take walk-ons and award scholarships once they prove themselves at the college level. For one, good kickers are difficult to find. A defensive back, for instance, can play wide receiver or A-back if he doesn’t pan out.
“If you take a kicker who can’t kick, pal, you’ve got him,” Johnson said. “He’s not turning into anything else.”
4. Johnson offered his support again for defensive coordinator Al Groh, reiterating that he has no plans to change staff. Johnson did say “there’s a lot of things you have to take into consideration and there’s a lot of things we’re going to talk about” regarding the defense after recruiting ends.
“If I didn’t think they were doing a credible job, I’d make changes,” he said. “But can we play better? Sure. We can play better on offense, special teams, everywhere.”
5. Johnson did not have much comment on offensive tackle Phil Smith, who is not returning to the team. Smith was a two-year starter but was suspended twice this season for breaking team rules.
“Hopefully he’ll graduate this spring and if he wants to play somewhere else, I’ve given him his release,” Johnson said.
6. Regarding wide receiver Stephen Hill, who declared for the NFL draft with a year of eligibility remaining, Johnson said that “there’s a lot of factors that go into” such decisions that people don’t realize and that he also thought that Hill would’ve improved had he returned for his senior season.
“I gave them my take and [Hill's family members] had their take and they have to make a decision that they think is best for them,” Johnson said. “I wish him the best.”
7. Johnson wouldn’t call the spring-practice quarterback competition “open,” given that incumbent Tevin Washington has started for the past 1 ½ seasons. Washington’s challengers – Synjyn Days, Vad Lee and early enrollee Dennis Andrews – will have to beat him out to take the starting job, Johnson said.
“Do I think it’s impossible to beat him out? No,” Johnson said. “But I’m not going to say it’s wide open. The kid’s started for two years. I think he’s earned that right.”
8. Johnson spoke at length about recruiting practices and the volume of information surrounding it, not always accurate.
“I think what happens in general, maybe in media today anyway, but for certain in recruiting, is somebody will see a story on one of the sites and then they’ll use that as a source five times,” Johnson said. “The original one might not have been right.”
Johnson is in favor of having an early signing date, as he and his staff spend much of their energy and effort “babysitting” recruits who have already committed to make sure other schools don’t poach them.
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81 comments Add your comment
George Stein
January 20th, 2012
6:57 pm
Couldn’t have said it better, Sugar Hill.
Ramblin Man
January 20th, 2012
7:24 pm
ole timer that was really well put.
Now that I see all the possible departures the recruiting situation right now is making more sense. No offense to Mackayhan as I support all GT athletes, unless they do something really stupid, but I as a fan would rather the coaches have the open schooly as he has never really produced and I see Jackson and Greene being the starting WRs next year with Waller and maybe Summers pushing. Moore could also be a threat, but I don’t think his knee has ever fully recovered.
Ramblin Man
January 20th, 2012
7:25 pm
Sugar Hill Dawg nice post
BananaJacket
January 20th, 2012
7:37 pm
Allow me to echo all the same sentiments regarding Julian, a terrific football player and person. This emphasizes again how so many things are more important than winning a game. It is also so refreshing to see so many classy and positive things coming from UGA fans.
1 4 GT
January 20th, 2012
8:24 pm
I know from personal experience how Julian Burnette feels–low & disheartened & disappointed–to love a game and pour yourself into it heart and soul only to be told you may have to give it up. But young man, buck up. Medical knowledge is far superior to my day. I know you are receiving the best medical care and advise, listen to your doctors and your parents and come to the best decision for your future health. If the football door is closed, God will open another for you. God’s speed in all of your life. Thanks for your efforts for GT and for yourself. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JB GOOOOOOOOOOOOO JACKETS THWG
JB is a beast!!!
January 20th, 2012
8:26 pm
Get well soon JB we need you. You are a great player and young man. Just remember everything happens for a reason. Ill be praying for you and your family. God bless
1 4 GT
January 20th, 2012
8:28 pm
Thanks to all the positive comments from the UGA Dawgs. I to find myself agreeing with WnE for once and Hell has definitely frozen over.
1 4 GT
January 20th, 2012
8:35 pm
FYI for anyone still here—the lowlife in the Krystal video that squashed his beans in the LSU drunk passed out turned himself in to police & was booked for sexual battery & obscenity and has been released on bond.
Jacket Follower
January 20th, 2012
9:08 pm
Julian Burnett we love seeing you play and hope that you will play again! We love your passion for the sport. If you do not play again, may God Bless You. You are the type of player/person that represents GT on the highest level. Go Jackets! Go JB!
Paul in NH
January 20th, 2012
9:45 pm
I hate to read about the injury to Burnett. I hope he recovers and gets to play again but if it isn’t possible I hope things work out for him.
Paul in NH
January 20th, 2012
9:48 pm
Delbert
Thanks for the post on Cooper’s interview. I can understand him taking some potshots at some SEC schools for oversigning but having a former Ohio State coach talking about other schools cheating is a bit rich.
Heal up young man, rest that knee
January 20th, 2012
9:51 pm
Heal that injury. Take care of your self. When you are 30, you will have forgotten football by then anyway. Get your degree. THAT matters.
Go Dogs.
ignition
January 20th, 2012
10:05 pm
Off Topic this is wonderful… Much props and respect to CPJ absolutely great: (Taken from a story from Matt Winklejohn)
Entering Egbuniwe’s junior season, Tech head coach Paul Johnson began matching his elder players with some of Atlanta’s movers and shakers — local captains of industry.
This is not the first time someone has bragged about the benefits.
“He had a dinner for us where . . . we’d talk about careers, and what they do in their jobs. The good thing is it opened doors to so many Georgia Tech graduates, fans and business men around Atlanta.
“That gave us the opportunity to start making contacts so that when we were finished with football, we were able to make moves in that direction. It was a great thing.”
So, too, was the Tech job fair where Egbuniwe last fall launched his pending career with Microsoft. He also had interviews with Coca-Cola, McKesson and IBM.
There’s more moving coming.
Once back in Atlanta, Egbuniwe will pack up and on Monday he’ll climb in a rented U-Haul truck with his car hitched to the back end and head for metro D.C. Next up, the start of a new chapter in the same book as his football career — the tale of his life’s trail.
Football has been in a rear-view mirror of sorts for a while now, yet it may not slip any further away even with each mile he drives.
“It’s a joy to be able to watch the game and be a fan. I’ve become a real big fan of all the [Tech] guys who left and are playing in the NFL now. It’s good to see them succeed,” Egbuniwe said. “Sometimes, it’s good to be a fan and not be yelled at by a coach any more.”
1 4 GT
January 20th, 2012
10:33 pm
FYI everyone–I don’t have any idea how bad JB’s injury is, but someone posted earlier that it is his neck, which would be more in line with a career ending injury. It would take a truly horrific leg or ankle injury to end a playing career this day and age.
Supersize that order, mutt
January 20th, 2012
11:09 pm
1 4 GT, I spoke with a friend today who watched the game on TV, and he said that it looked like an injury to the neck or back when he left the field.
31 years and counting
January 21st, 2012
12:14 am
NOTE TO CPJ, GET REAL AND FIRED GROH, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Go Jackets!
January 21st, 2012
12:46 am
@31 years, if you want to rant about Groh do it on an appropriate blog. This young man suffered a serious injury. We should all hope the best for him and his speedy recovery! Go JB!
Thanks for the classy remarks Dawgs!
steverino
January 21st, 2012
1:16 am
Hope you make it all the way back, Julian! Whatever your future holds, be it football or the working world, your work ethic and determination will take you a long way. And thanks and congratulations to BJ Machen on the Microsoft position. The few times he got on the field for the Jackets, I could tell he was a player w/talent and enthusiasm.
G71
January 21st, 2012
6:28 am
Yeah, ‘Pal’, and not having a kicker is losing games for you. What kind of an ego has PJ to continue this ‘no kicker’ insanity? Special teams account for about 20% of the game and Tech just ain’t good enough everywhere else to give up the 20%. FSU in the past could – but they had about 100 true athletes on every team. We don’t.
This guy Johnson may have a pretty good head for offensive ball (that’s also not a ‘given’, but we’ll stipulate it as proven for now), but as a team manager – a CEO – he just plain su-cks. Good enough for post-HS like GA Southern or a program who by definition must de-emphasize football for more important asperations like Navy, but going upeven he ACC, he falls way short.
Not the type of ‘complete person’ Tech has strived for in the past.
D-rad should be looking for a replacement…or at least someone who could be head coach and demote PJ to offensive coordinator.
HighTech
January 21st, 2012
7:10 am
George Stein and 1 4 GT…I told you the world is ending in 2012. WnE writing sensible posts is one of the first signs of the apocalypse.
juvenal
January 21st, 2012
8:20 am
JB, you are in my prayers…anyone who gets a shot at an education-athelete,vet, young entertainers who can afford tutors-it is paramount to do so, & universities that make this secondary are exploiting folks too young to be blamed…how about some flexibility in this offense, coach? &, al, great coaches use the systems that suit the talent, they don’t just stick square pegs in round holes, unless you get really BIG NT pegs to plug the 1 & 2 holes, 3-4 will not work! it is not rocket science…….
yellow britches
January 21st, 2012
8:50 am
Suspect we are talking about a neck and/or spinal injury. I know Julian loves the game but for God’s sake and your own don’t put you long term health and ability to drive, walk, see and just function as a regular person at risk by playing again. If you are at a higher risk of future injury because of this, do not come back. Take care of yourself.
Spartans, prepare for glory!
January 21st, 2012
9:17 am
Best of luck, Julian. I hope you read these comments and understand that we want what is best for you!
Gorilla Biscuit
January 21st, 2012
9:27 am
Hope Burnett recovers 100 percent, and I hope he’s on track to graduate.
Italian_29
January 21st, 2012
10:08 am
On a different note regarding the article, I cannot believe that CPJ is considering TW as his starter for next season. If I were you guys, I would be PISSED, TW is a good kid and he works hard, but he isn’t a D1 starting QB. I still think that Days or Lee give you guys the BEST chance to win. Who agrees?
ed
January 21st, 2012
10:18 am
i can only imagine the comments by tech fans if this was a uga player
Ga Tech Old Timer
January 21st, 2012
11:10 am
Ed – When a “real” fan for any program participates in these discussions – whether the topic is as serious as this one is that has such a dramatic impact on the life of a young man,or a report from the “beat” writer assigned to share news and updates of the program – you will find genuine respect and concern in the words written. Undoubtedly, you have seen the responses from “real” fans who appreciate fans of opposing teams being “classy” in their comments. When comments stray from the topic or become rancid with hate and bitterness, childish name calling or one upmanship -the “real” fan simpl;y tries to skip over their retoric to find some one who has something meaningful to say leaving the garbage bloggers to themselves. I think the vast majority of all fans – no matter what program they align with – are decent folks who just want to say something from their perspective with honesty and sincerity as they would in any other conversation about any other topic. Please don’t “paint” all fans of a particular following with same brush. We all come to this site to speak what’s on our mind – supposedly relative to the topic of the preceeding report. There are actually many fans who want – and wish – the best for both institutions, not only because the success of each speaks well for the state but because – well – there’s some of us who are old enough to know – and were taught better by our parents- than to constantly denegrate others – no matter what the circumstances. So, from a “real” fan to you Ed, I say keep it “real” and success to UGA in 2012 – until we meeet in November.
George P
January 21st, 2012
12:16 pm
Get well and good luck, JB.
The overlooked and interesting point in the blog is the kids who are graduating and still have eligibility. They’re down the depth chart and of course not sniffing the next level. But they have degrees and one has an offer from Microsoft. The ’system” has worked perfectly for them, and they have a degree that is actually worth something in the real world. They don’t have to sell used cars at Bubba Booster’s Ford dealership.
crackbaby
January 21st, 2012
12:29 pm
Thoroughly enjoyed watching Julian Burnett play linebacker. Reminiscent of Jesse “The Hammer” Tuggle. I was worried the instant he got hurt in the Utah game. Looked like a neck or spine injury.
If fate determines Julian has played his last football game, we all know he gave every bit of effort on the field. Even without football, vast opportunities remain in the Georgia Tech experience for JB.
Best wishes to him and his family.
old dog
January 21st, 2012
1:33 pm
Anybody, dawg or bee, who doesn’t wish this kid the best is not a real fan of either team! Some things transcend rivalries, and Julian’s injury is one of them. I am certain that the REAL Bulldawg Nation wishes this young man the best life can offer. We’ll rant and rave at each other on another bolg. On this day, my hat is off to a fine young man.
wreckmaniac
January 21st, 2012
4:06 pm
Good luck Julian. We hope you get back on the field but if not you will have many great opportunities.